In February 1633, (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee is married to Mata Gujri jee (who later becomes known as Mata Gujar Kaur jee). A month after (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee had got married, the Mughal armies of Paindey Khan and Kaley Khan attack the town of Kartarpur. This battle took place in the market place and inner streets of the town of Kartarpur.
Mata Nanaki jee, the mother of Guru Teg Bahadur jee, was watching the battle along with the newly wedded Mata Gujri jee. The battle lasted all day. A Persian writer, Kushwaqt Rai, writes about this battle and describes (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee's name as 'Tyaag Mal' (tyaag = detached; mal = wrestler). Mata Nanaki jee, sent a message via a messenger that "Fighting continuously Teg Bahadur would have got tired. For this reason, ask Teg Bahadur to come back." According the historical account written in Gurpratap Suraj Granth, (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee sends a message back that "A warrior returns from battle in two ways. Either as a winner when the battle finishes, or he breathes his last on the battlefield and returns as a Shaheed (martyr)... I will not be returning back from the battlefield."
The battle is won and the Mughal General Paindey Khan is killed. The 17th century Persian writer, Mohsin Fani, in his book 'Dabistan-i-Mazahib' describes this battle. The book was later translated into English by Dr Gandha Singh in the book 'Nanak Panthis or The Sikh and Sikhism of the 17th century'. Dr Gandha Singh (p. 16) translated Mohsin Fani's account as:
"...In that battle Mir Badehra, and Painda Khan son of Fateh Khan Kunaid, were killed. Before and after that occasion large armies rushed at him (Guru Hargobind Sahib jee), but, with the help of God, he escaped unhurt... I have heard from a person named Saadh that during the battle a person struck a sword upon the Guru. Warding off (the blow), the Guru said to the swordsman, "Son, they do not strike like that. Striking is like this." And with that blow he did away with his foe. One of the companions of the Guru enquired of the chronicler, "What is the philosophy that the Guru at the time of striking the blow said:: "see, in this way a wound is inflicted," I said, "It comes to my mind that the sword-striking of the Guru was also by way of teaching, for they call the teacher a Guru (or that Guru means a teacher), and not by way of anger because it is a condemned thing."
At the age of 14, (Guru) Teg Bahadur jee returned from battle victorious with his father, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee. After the battle, Guru Hargobind Sahib jee blessed his son with two gifts - a Kataar (dagger) and a Rumaal (handkerchief). It was as if Guru Hargobind Sahib jee was prophesying that Guru Teg Bahadur jee will through the sword inspire the oppressed to re-write their destiny, and like the cloth, wipe the tears of the weak and oppressed and give cover of protection for the helpless.
Source: Dr Sukhpreet Singh Udhoke, 'Katha Jivan Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji' (YouTube: 22/06/2017)
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